Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the Arizona Tax Credit Program. Your contributions are much appreciated.   Money is still coming in, and we will post our total soon.
Now is the time to get your money back.  Don’t forget to list your contribution on the Public School Tax Credit line item when you file your 2011 Arizona State Taxes.  You will get your contribution amount back, dollar for dollar; up to $200 for single filers and $400 for married filers. 

Thanks again to all who helped make this possible.  A special thank you is deserved by the Tax Credit Committee members and everyone who helped to promote the AZ Public School Tax Credit.  Please continue to spread the word of our successful program to your friends, family and neighbors who can help support our school in the future.

Susanne Sutherland, Tax Credit Chair

A sincere thank you to all of our generous Fruchthendler families -- for organizing, sorting, wrapping, delivering and generously supporting this program that makes Fruchthendler...Fruchthendler.

A big thank you to Tucson Appliance!When our own PTA President Becca Keables asked for their help for a family in need of a dryer, they stepped up, donated AND delivered! Just another awesome example of local businesses supporting local families and our schools.
  
Thank you all for making this holiday season bright for deserving families in TUSD.

Fruchthendler needs 2 female volunteers to serve as coaches for the Spring Girls on the Run (GOTR) session. Without these volunteers, GOTR cannot offer a spring session at Fruchthendler. Lessons will be held at Fruchthendler on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:20 pm to 4:50 pm, beginning February 5th and running through April 20th.

GOTR coaches do not need to be elite runners.   As long as you live a healthy lifestyle and are committed to improving the lives of girls, you can serve as a coach. GOTR coaches empower girls by encouraging positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.

Classroom Spelling Bees for grades K-2 will be held Wednesday, January 18 thru Thursday, January 19. Spelling Bee for classroom finalists will be held Tuesday, January 24 at 6:30 pm.

Family Fun Nights are Back! (And They are FREE!)

Friday, January 27th, 2012, 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. 
Mark your calendars for our Family Star Party. The Tucson Amateur Astronomers will bring their telescopes to share their knowledge of the night skies.  Our 5th graders will be selling yummy hot chocolate to keep you warm as you spy the wonders of the stars and more!  See you on the basketball courts along Lodge Ave.

And the fun continues! 

Fruchthendler Chili Cook-Off
Friday, February 17th, 2012, 6:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m.
Do you think your chili is worthy enough to win a prize?  Then come on down to the First Annual Fruchthendler Chili Cook-Off.  Staff and Families will be competing for the Prized Scarlett Spoon voted by Firebird Families.  While enjoying the spicey samples, trot on  down to the Rodeo Roundup for some fun. It's sure to be a great night for all buckaroos. 

The Science Fair is just around the corner so start planning those projects! For tips and guidelines, visit http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/fruchthendler/enrichment/science.html. 
Registration forms went home before winter break and are due Friday, January 27 by the end of the school day. Projects will be due Monday, February 27, and the award ceremony will be held on the evening of Tuesday, February 28.
If you would like to volunteer to help with this year’s science fair, please contact Science Fair Chair, Missy Root at randmroot@gmail.com.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Here’s hoping 2012 brings everyone much happiness, health and lots of new creativity!!
KidzArt is excited to be back for another colorful session of soaring imaginations afterschool at Fruchthendler.  We have Wednesday (early dismissal) afterschool classes starting NEXT WEEK on January 11th.  To follow the school calendar, we’ve added a week to each session so we’re now 9-week sessions!! So don’t miss out.

Spring 2012 Schedule:

Session 12A:  January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 15, 22, 29, March 7 & 14.

**No classes Wednesday February 8 - Parent Teacher Conferences.**

Session 12B:  March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18*, 25, May 2, 9 & 16.

**TIME CHANGE for April 18 to 3:15-4:30pm due to AIMS Testing - Full Day!**

Register now because these sessions fill fast.  The easiest and most secure way to ensure your space is online at:  https://thriva.activenetwork.com/Reg4/Form.aspx?IDTD=1351&RF=4509192&mode=0
Use your email and password to sign in. If you haven’t set up an online account, click “NEW USER” and get started with a few clicks.

We look forward to seeing all of our amazing KidzArtists... and some new friends too!!  Be sure to tell your friends to join us.  Remember.. KidzArt is a proud pARTner of the Fruchthendler PTA. A percentage of your KidzArt registration fees return to the PTA to help with all the wonderful things going on at Fruchthendler!!!

Hope to see you next week.

My daughter recently completed the "Girls on the Run" program here at Fruchthendler.  "GOTR" is a 10-week program that encourages 3rd - 5th grade girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running.  The program combines training for a 3.1 mile (5K) running event with group lessons such as getting to know who you are, team building, bullying, peer pressure, being part of a community, and healthy decisions. 

When I first signed up my fifth grader she did not want to participate because of the 5K run the girls participate in after the program is over.  I was not a runner myself and I felt I should set a good example for her, so I started training for a 5K myself.  There is an excellent website called "Couch potato to 5K" (www.c25k) which has an detailed running plan.  It gives you instructions on how to start running, alternating between running and walking, slowly increasing the length of the intervals.  You can also find recommended stretching exercises and lots of other helpful information.  Before starting to run I did stop at a running store to get a good pair of running shoes.  But that is pretty much all you need! 

On Nov. 13th, 15 GOTR girls, their running buddies, families and the wonderful GOTR coaches showed up at Sabino High school to participate in a 5K running event.  Mr. Heidel even showed up to wish us good luck!  All of the girls finished the 5K, everybody running and/or walking at their own speed.  What an accomplishment! Not only has this program taught my daughter a lot about being a good friend and leading a healthy lifestyle, it has also turned me from a couch potato into a 5K runner!

So, if you have a daughter in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade I can highly recommend this great activity right here at Fruchthendler.  It might get the whole family running!  If you don't, just start running anyway!

Steffi Stine, Healthy Lifestyles Committee Member

Do you still have any leftover cans of pumpkin puree from Thanksgiving lurking around your pantry?  Try these yummy pumpkin muffins, they are a hit with the kids!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour                  
2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup oat bran
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup applesauce
15 ounces canned pumpkin
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease or line muffin tins with paper liners.
Combine flours, bran, oats, baking powder, spices, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
Using whisk or spoon, stir until well mixed.
Combine remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl; beat until smooth.
Gradually beat in flour mixture.
Beat just until combined.
Spoon into prepared pans or tins (fill cups until just about full).
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until toothpick inserted in the middle of the muffins comes out clean.
Remove muffins from pan and cool on wire rack as soon as they come out of the oven.